Cinema Paradiso (1988)
One of the greatest classics ever made, Cinema Paradiso is a charming reminder of the gradually waning magic of cinema-going. Inspired by director Giuseppe Tornatore’s childhood memories, the Italian film focuses on the unique friendship between an ageing film projectionist and a young boy who is drawn to the movies. A celebration of the joys of the communal experience of movie-watching and of the fact that cinema has the power to conjure a magical, alternative universe, Cinema Paradiso expertly walks the thin line between sentimental mush and genuine emotions, constantly reminding us of the life-affirming power of the movies.
Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
Singin’ in the Rain
Gene Kelly, a joyful presence in the rain, hopping, skipping and dancing his way into the annals of cinema in the title track, is enough to make us fall in love with Singin’ in the Rain, and in the process, with the movies in general. The evergreen musical, that looks at the transition of cinema from the silent era to the talkies with a lightness of tone and treatment, sweeps you off your feet, wrapping the audience in a warm blanket constructed of song and dance numbers, and transports one to the Hollywood of the 1920s. Fittingly considered one of the greatest movie musicals ever made.
Superboys of Malegaon (2025)
Superboys of Malegaon
Supermen of Malegaon walked so that Superboys of Malegaon could run. Reema Kagti’s film, released earlier this year, draws its roots from the aforementioned 2008 documentary which, in turn, was inspired by the real-life story of a band of small-town boys who pulled out all the stops — giving more than a twist to the Indian problem-solving technique called jugaad — to realise their seemingly unachievable dream of making movies.
An ode to the undying power of dreams and the unending ability of cinema to realise those dreams on screen, Superboys of Malegaon is about a ragtag group of young friends who put their unassuming town on the map by banding together their limited resources to make films. A charming, slice-of-life watch about ordinary men doing extraordinary things, this film is a prime example of the fact that passion — in this case, the love for cinema — can override almost any hurdle.
The Artist (2011)
The Artist
This multiple Oscar winner, an ode to the silent-movie era transitioning into the talkies, was fittingly filmed in black-and-white and was mostly a silent film with very little dialogue. The story of this French comedy drama takes place in Hollywood between 1927 and 1932, and focuses on the relationship between a rising young actress and an older silent film star.
A true love letter to the movies, The Artist incorporates the elements of silent-era films — physically expressive acting, longer shots and patient editing rhythms — with a more modern sensibility. More importantly, it reminds us of a time when creativity trumped huge elaborate visual effects and million-dollar set pieces. A loving, warm pastiche which is a sheer delight for movie buffs, and even those who aren’t.
Filmistaan (2014)
Filmistaan
Filled with passion and humour, this small film with a big heart touched upon the impact of Bollywood beyond socio-political boundaries. This National Award-winning film, a slice-of-life winner, instantly warmed the cockles of the heart, scoring with its simplicity and relatability.
Focusing on a kidnapped man, whose sheer passion for Bollywood helps him bond with his captors who are also unable to shake off the grip that ‘CineMaa’ has on them, Filmistaan also succeeds in its juxtaposition of art and extremism, of freedom and fear... but more so in those small but impactful moments that make it what it is — particularly that one of an entire village across the border crowding around an almost non-functioning TV set to soak in the magic of the movies.
The Fablemans (2022)
The Fablemans
Steven Spielberg’s semi-memoir is a glorious and beguiling ode to a life made by — and dedicated — to the movies. It starts off by tracing the life of a young boy in 1950s New Jersey who is hit by cinema like a bolt of lightning when he sees Cecil B DeMille’s The Greatest Show on Earth. Stunned as he is by the train crash scene, he attempts to obsessively re-stage it at home with a toy train set and an 8mm camera. Thus begins his love affair with cinema.
As much a film about the love of films as it is about the impact of family, Spielberg — in what is unarguably his most personal film yet — looks beyond the money and politics of cinema and revels in the joy and wonder of the medium. The Fabelmans is a movie made by a film lover for film lovers, with its admiration for the craft being its biggest asset.
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